LITMIR.BIZ

      FAMILY AND MONEY

      We have already discussed how this project is indeed a labour of love.Although it may be true, it is also code for “don’t expect to make a profit, unless you are related to King Tut.”Your financial goal, if any, is to break even or at least to cover some of the costs of producing and shipping the book. The project’s great reward will be finally seeing your family history documented and enjoyed by others for generations to come.

      However gratifying this might be, you must consider how to pay for the book’s production so you do not go into debt. Although money is the most contentious topic of discussion within families (apart from the topic of the cousin who ran away with the circus), you must deal with the financial realities. Three main courses of action are open to you.

      Pay All Expenses Yourself

      You can chose to produce a fairly inexpensive book with a small print run. Perhaps you feel that since you took on the project, you should shoulder the costs. Or, you are wealthy, generous and have no reservations about giving away hundreds of copies. If you can comfortably afford to take on all expenses involved in the book, you have no reason to worry about a potentially awkward conversation, or about what to give everyone for their birthdays next year.

      Solicit Donations from Relatives

      You are committed and passionate about the project, but you can’t possibly pay for everything alone. How do you bring up the subject of a bit of financial help?

      Some relatives, usually the ones who always remember your birthday, will offer you a donation without prompting. With others, it might not occur to them to offer—it’s all in the family after all. The best strategy is to let as many relatives as you can know in advance that you are writing this worthy book. Ask if those who can afford it would mind contributing a certain amount to help you cover the costs of printing and mailing out copies once it’s finished. Casually mention that you would love to include colour photographs, but you’re not sure if you can afford it. Once they understand that a small honorarium could enrich the project for the whole family, they’ll probably be willing to help out.

      Most people (yes, even people in your family) are very reasonable. They won’t balk if you ask them to pay for the mailing costs, especially if they live in Malta.

      Name Your Price

      After you’ve sacrificed so much of your time, you realize you do need to charge for the book.To treat everyone fairly, you can simply sell the book to everyone for the same amount per copy. Determine what you think is a fair price based on your production costs (perhaps you hired an editor or a book designer), printing costs and shipping costs.You might forgo the charge if someone was particularly helpful with your research or lent you some great photographs. Even professional publishers give away a few complimentary copies when they must.

      Of course, some relatives will expect to receive a copy for nothing.They feel you owe them for all the times they helped you move or babysat your temperamental poodle.How to deal with this situation is entirely in your hands. Each family has unique eccentricities, which is one reason telling their story is so worthwhile. It is best to bear in mind that this project commemorates your family’s history and the bonds you share. Is it the time to squabble or the time to celebrate?

      SAMPLE SCHEDULE

      Most home-publishing ventures are done without any schedule in mind, which is as it should be. Most readers can skip straight to the beginning of Chapter 4. But, if you need your book to be finished by a particular date, such as the date of a family reunion, read on!

      Schedules are prepared by counting backwards from the delivery date.To make this really explicit, this sample schedule is presented “upside-down,” with the end-date in the first line.